Norrbotten

The landscape embedded between the Norwegian-Swedish mountains and the Swedish Baltic Sea is characterized by almost untouched nature and solitude, not to be found elsewhere in Europe. Throughout the winter months, close to the city of Gällivare, Swedish Lapland is covered by a thick blanket of snow. After several dark, polar weeks at the end of January, for a short time of the day the sun rises slightly above the horizon.

The size and structure of the landscape can be observed best from a vantage point high above it all. In this perspective, nestled between birch and pine forests, vast frozen lakes resemble smooth, white surfaces. This photograph was taken at extremely low temperatures, from a hot-air balloon, which allowed a unique view onto this very special winterland in Scandinavia.